The world of aviation. The way it was, is and will be in the future. From an airline- (economic- and customer), airport- and business travel perspective. 

General goal is to learn and to understand how the industry of aviation works. To understand and advice stakeholders from the industry about their future needs. 

Aviation ‘heart’ 

Propaedeutic certificate obtained

Will be provided (free of charge) 

Oral exam, report and project 

Competencies 

• Recognize the value chain in aviation 
• Identify the stakeholders and their interests 
• Scenario planning for airlines 
• Project management  
• E-commerce in aviation 

 

Topics 

Introduction to Aviation Market 

• History of aviation  
• Players in the market 
• Primary characteristics of market: types of airlines (scheduled, charter, cargo, overnight express commuter etc. airlines),  
• Legislative structure 
• Freedoms of the air 
• Bilateral treaties, 
• Regulation – deregulation 
• Liberalization 
• Operating restrictions; 
• Passenger rights 
• Role of the various governments,  
• Effects for consumers 
• Effects for airlines,  
• Industry structure: manufacturers, airlines, airports, distribution channels (incl. GDS), customers, Air traffic management 
• Aircraft Market developments and forecasts, 
• Goals of commercial aviation: continuity and profit generation, 
• Market segments, 
• Competition between airlines, 
• Profit – planet – people, 
• Safety requirements and airline certification procedures, 
• Aviation organizations: IATA, ICAO, AEA, RAA, ERAA, ELFAA, Eurocontrol 

Aircraft characteristics  

• Aircraft types: regional, short-haul, medium haul, long haul, narrow body, wide body - large capacity, cargo aircraft, converted aircraft, 
• Main characteristics: payload - range, capacity, speed,  
• External factors affecting the operations (weather, noise, slots, congestion, 
• Aircraft performance: lift, propulsion, field performance 
• Aircraft design parameters: design weights, design speed, cabin pressure, operating altitudes. 

Cost Structures Aircraft operations: 

• Definitions of operating costs 
• Fixed versus variable costs, 
• Capital costs 
• Ground rules for aircraft cost comparisons 

• Yearly utilization and its effects on capital costs per flight 
• Aircraft leasing versus aircraft ownership 
• Detailed cost components: fuel, crew, maintenance, landing charges, navigation charges, ground handling, depreciation, hull insurance. 
• Indirect operating costs  
• Overhead costs 

Networks and links. 

• Hub & spoke versus point-to-point operations 
• Traditional competition versus modern hub competition 
• Hub & spoke versus point-to-point operations 
• Feeder networks 
• Long haul network 

Timetabling 

• Turn-around times, 
• Defining schedule slack, 
• Slot restrictions and slot on-time performance 
• Effects of delays on schedule adjustments 
• Effects of time zones and airport characteristics on scheduling (hot & high) 

Market Developments 

• Operating restrictions; freedom degrees of the air, legislation(s), bilateral treaties, consumer rights. 
• Liberalization and deregulation 
• Role of the various governments 
• Competition between airlines 
• Basic function: making profit for continuity 
• Traditional competition versus modern hub competition between airline alliances. 
• Tariff structures 
• Distribution (role of the Internet) 
• Types of cabin classes and their main characteristics 
• Types of tickets 
• Booking patterns 

 

Structure of the minor 

The Runway (Explore the world of aviation)          
10ects 

High level (In-depth topics)                               
5 ects 

Project 1 and 2 (Cases from the industry)                
10 ects 

Airlines and websites (E-commerce in aviation)               
5 ects 

 

Teaching method(s): 

Lectures, Guest Lectures, Field Trips, Work Shops and Projects 

 

International context 

Literally ‘The World of Aviation’